Best Single Core Performance CPU

Best Single Core Performance CPU 2024 (Top Rated Single Thread CPU)

Gamers and PC enthusiasts will know that one of the most important parts of building or upgrading your own rig is installing the best single core performance CPU. But what is a single core cpu? Where can you get them? Which is the best? Never fear, all these questions will be answered below, where we’ll take the hassle out of buying a great single thread CPU.

Short on time and just need the a quick answer? The best Single Core Performance CPU is the Intel Core i9-12900KF Desktop Processor. A cheaper, but still great option, is the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X Desktop Processor.

Best Single Core Performance CPU: Quick Comparison

BEST RATED Intel Core i9-12900KF CPU Processor
  • CPU Manufacturer: Intel
  • CPU Model: Core i9
  • CPU Speed: 3
  • CPU Socket: LGA 1700
  • Total Cores: 16 Cores, 24 Threads
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RUNNER UP Intel Core i7-12700KF Processor
  • CPU Manufacturer: Intel
  • CPU Model: Core i7
  • CPU Speed: 3
  • CPU Socket: LGA 1700
  • Total Cores: 12 Cores, 20 Threads
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Intel Core i9-12900K Desktop Processor
  • CPU Manufacturer: Intel
  • CPU Model: Core i9
  • CPU Speed: 3
  • CPU Socket: LGA 1700
  • Total Cores: 16 Cores, 24 Threads
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AMD Ryzen 9 5950X CPU Processor
  • CPU Manufacturer: Intel
  • CPU Model: Core i9
  • CPU Speed: 4.9
  • CPU Socket: AM4
  • Total Cores: 16 Threads: 32
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AMD Ryzen 9 5900X Desktop Processor
  • CPU Manufacturer: Intel
  • CPU Model: Core i9
  • CPU Speed: 4.8
  • CPU Socket: AM4
  • Total Cores: 12 Threads: 24
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AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU
  • CPU Manufacturer: Intel
  • CPU Model: Core i9
  • CPU Speed: 4.7
  • CPU Socket: AM4
  • Total Cores: 8 Threads: 16
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Top Rated Single Thread CPU 2024: Reviews

1. Intel Core i9-12900KF

Fastest Single Core Processor

When talking about products that set a CPU single core benchmark, you cannot go past the Intel Core i9-1200KF.

This particular processor comes in strong with eight performance cores and eight efficiency cores (grouped by four).

According to Intel themselves the performance cores are 19% better than the 11th generation, while the efficiency cores still perform at around the 10th gen, however they do so with much less power.

If this isn’t enough to interest you, the Intel core i9-1200KF includes not only PCle 5.0 support, but also DDR5-4800 and DDR4-3200 support on the memory.

Now this CPU is often called the best for gaming and it’s not hard to see why, with the ability to handle almost all games without issue and deliver consistent results, even on the highest settings.

Fans of overclocking their systems will be happy to know the Intel core i9-200KF has no trouble with this at all.

Currently it is the best single threaded performance cpu on the market, with nothing else coming close to delivering what it can. While it might be overkill for the majority of users, it’s a great piece of hardware to own.

Pros

  • DDR5 support
  • Great overclocking performance
  • PCIE 5.0 on supported motherboards

Cons

  • High power demands

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2. Intel Core i7-12700KF

Most Powerful Single Core Cpu

The Intel Core i7-1200KF is a great addition to the Intel range, featuring the same amount of performance cores as the i9, at a lower cost.

However it does have four less E cores than the i9, but still manages to perform to almost the same standards.

Where the i7 really shines is in its power consumption which, at 190 watts, is 21% less than the i9.

DDR4 and DDR5 memory is supported, but gamers will need to plan which they’re using in advance, as they are supported by different motherboards.

Considering how expensive building or upgrading a PC can be, the i7 delivers incredible performance for a cost much lower than other brands.

While AMD Ryzen are fantastic CPU’s, in most cases the i7 still outperforms, or performs at the same level, for less than you’d pay for a higher end model.

The i7 is able to handle the majority of games thrown at it, from Cyberpunk 2077 to Red Dead Redemption 2. All in all, gamers wanting fantastic performance, but not wanting to spend too much will be more than happy with the i7.

Pros

  • Great aesthetics
  • USB-C connector
  • Affordable

Cons

  • No integrated graphics

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3. Intel Core i9-12900K Desktop Processor

Best Intel Single Core Processor

The Intel Core i9-1200K is the gold standard when it comes to Intel single threaded performance CPU’s.

It’s clear that Intel put in serious effort and thought into this CPU, adding more cores, bandwidth and speed than previously seen.

Talking about cost, while the i9 isn’t the cheapest on the market, it certainly delivers plenty for the price.

In comparison to the other Intel single threaded performance CPU’s, the i9 definitely keeps up with them, even outperforming them in some cases.

Intel has made sure that while the i9 does consume more power than some of the other offerings, it still performs exceptionally well. It has no issue keeping up with most games on the market. 

Gamers will also be pleased to know the i9 has no issue with overclocking, still performing without issue. While the other Intel CPU’s are great choices, for gamers wanting to build high end rigs, the i9 is the CPU single core benchmark.

Intel has made sure to compete with AMD and keeps proving they’re focussing on their consumers, by delivering components which over deliver.

Pros

  • Fantastic single threaded performance
  • Low price
  • Improved multithreaded ability

Cons

  • High power cost

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4. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X CPU Processor

Best Ryzen Single Core Performance

We’ve been talking a lot about Intel, but now it’s AMD’s time to shine, with the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X.

Gamers and content creators who need an absolute workhorse to get their stuff done, need only look to the Ryzen 9 5950X.

Coming in strong with a 3.4 GHz base frequency, this CPU is a PC enthusiasts dream.

Fans of overclocking can expect this 5950X to perform incredibly well, especially in terms of temperature control. This is an absolute juggernaut in terms of what it can provide and how it performs.

AMD has a long history of producing quality components and the Ryzen 9 5950X is a fantastic example of a complete home run.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is a CPU that will take anything you throw at it with incredible ease, without breaking a sweat. It’s a revolutionary product from AMD and an absolute game changer for gamers and content creators needing a heavy duty rig.

Most gamers and content creators need look no further than the Ryzen 9 5950X, which will more than deliver on what they need.

Pros

  • Low thermal design power
  • Power efficient
  • Excellent performance

Cons

  • Might be too pricey for some

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5. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X CPU

The Priciest, But Definitely Worth It

If the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is a workhorse, than the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is its younger, but still just as capable brother.

For a while it was thought that for the absolute best performance from the best PC games you needed to buy Intel.

Then AMD released the Ryzen 9 5900X and showed the world what the best really looks like.

This CPU is can achieve both single threaded and multi threaded tasks without issue, something that even the Intel’s sometimes struggle with.

In all cases this is the CPU that claimed the crown of best single threaded performance CPU from Intel.

Gamers and content creators will be incredibly happy with this CPU, which can be put through its paces and still perform incredibly well.

While there is no on board cooler, with an added cooler this CPU will have no issues with anything you throw at it. This is truly an incredible offering from AMD, who have proven once and for all that Intel is not the only name in single core CPU’s.

The 5000 series from AMD has been absolutely revolutionary in delivering the best performance and unbeatable value. This CPU is just another example of how AMD is knocking it out of the park.

Pros

  • 12 Cores delivering fantastic performance 
  • The best for gaming
  • Outperforms the i9 10900K

Cons

  • No stock cooler

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6. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Desktop Processor

A Great Choice

Another offering from AMD serves to prove how great they have become and how easily they can compete with Intel.

Coming in strong with eight cores and sixteen threads, the Ryzen 7 5800X joins the previous two AMD offerings as an absolute workhorse.

This CPU can, just like the others, take pretty much anything you throw at it, performing exceptionally well with the best PC games and proving to be fantastic for content creators as well.

 While the lack of an onboard cooler might be off putting to some, if you have a decent cooling system, you’ll have no problem getting this CPU to perform to its absolute limits.

The Ryzen 7 5800X can also handle overclocking incredibly well. That being said, in comparison with the other CPU’s on this list, it’s probably not one of the best options in terms of cost.

All in all it is a very solid offering from AMD, showing exactly why most people now lean to AMD over Intel, for the CPU needs.

They keep proving with each new release that they’re focussed on providing the absolute best to gamers and content creators.

While it is a pricey choice, it still will deliver what gamers need, though if it’s a high end rig you’re after, you could probably go with a different option.

Pros

  • Solid single and multi threaded performance
  • Overclockable
  • Solid for gaming

Cons

  • No onboard cooler

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Top Single Thread CPU

1 Core CPU FAQ

Which Are The Best Single Threaded Performance CPU’s of 2024?

Is A 1 Core CPU Good?

Single Core CPU’s are good in some cases, such as programs and games that do not perform well with multiple cores. The easy way to understand it is that it all comes down to speed. If you’re planning on doing multiple tasks and processes at once, you’ll want a multi core. If all you’re doing is running a game, then a single core is fine.

Does AMD Ryzen Have Better Single-Core Performance?

AMD Ryzen definitely outperforms the Intel CPU’s in most cases. AMD has worked tirelessly to ensure they deliver solid products that perform to the highest capabilities, and this carries over to the Ryzen products, which are pretty much the CPU single core benchmark.

What’s The Fastest Single Thread Processor

According to testing performed by PassMark Software, the Intel Core i9-12900KF is the fastest single thread processor, boasting 5.2 GHZ turbo. If you prefer to buy AMD, then the fastest would be the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X.

What Is Single Core Performance

Single Core Performance is the performance a CPU would have if you were to disable all its core except for one. It is useful in some cases, as some programs/software do not perform better using multiple cores.

Final Words About The Best Single Core Performance CPU

All of these things considered it is completely up to you what the best single core performance CPU in 2024 is, but there are definitely some excellent choices. Intel and AMD keep proving that they are committed to releasing quality components, which is why they are both consistently the top rated single thread CPU’s. If you’re new to building a PC, figuring out the best CPU can be daunting.

We’ve done our best to make the choice easy for you, by showcasing fantastic CPU’s, especially the Intel Core i9-12900KF and AMD Ryzen 9 5950X. With either of these products, your rig will be more than up to any task you throw at it, especially playing the best PC games and producing quality content. Intel and AMD are great choices to go with and continuously compete to outperform each other. 

Whether building a new PC or upgrading any of the above options are going to give you outstanding performance and an incredible experience.